Social Cafe — Restaurant in San Francisco

By far the best, most authentic Cuban bakery in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Social Cafe is a must try.

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After more than a decade of using Google Maps to find and try new restaurants around the world, this is the first review that I’ve felt compelled to leave on any restaurant.

I was born and raised in South Florida and grew up with great, authentic Cuban cuisine all around me. When I made the move to SF six years ago, it became a mission of mine to find the best Cuban Sandwich in the city, or at least the one closest to home. My expectations were low given how deceptively difficult it is to perfect a Cuban Sandwich (similar to a NYC bagel, or Mission burrito). I was taught growing up that a Cuban bakery will always do it best because using fresh Cuban bread is so critical.

I’ve tried Cubans from dozens and dozens of restaurants around the area - this is far and away the best I’ve had in the Bay Area. Indistinguishable from the best I’ve had in Florida.

Since finding Social Cafe a few months ago, I’ve probably eaten 25+ sandwiches. I truly can’t get enough. I tell all my friends. I’ve also tried almost everything else on their menu and can attest it’s all on the same level, everything like being back in Miami. The coffee and pastries are fantastic.

To the Social Cafe team, what you’re bringing to the City in terms of quality and authenticity is so refreshing, and this Florida boy certainly appreciates it. Please keep up the...

Cuban food is very hard to come by in the Bay Area, and if you’re wondering why this place has a 5.0 rating stop by and see for yourself!

The Cuban sandwich here genuinely was better than the ones I’ve had in Miami. The pork is much more flavorful, and the bread is house made and super fresh. I am shocked I didn’t know we had a Cuban bakery in the heart of SF, but you gotta stop by and see for yourself! They also have a lot more love put into the products than Porto’s in LA.

Thats the key for what truly adds to the experience, because that the owners are all extremely passionate, and put a lot of care into the product. They’re here themselves in the bakery / kitchen, quality checking everything. On top of that, all the items are fairly priced, made in house and super fresh. I spoke to some other people from the east coast who also agreed this spot is legit.

I’ll hundred percent be back here to try the guava and cheese pastry and other items. The cafecito tasted exactly like the corner shops in Miami too. What a gift to have this lovely Cuban bakery in SF. It was the only thing that was missing in the city, and we are lucky that we...

Delicious pastelitos and Cuban coffee! Great prices and great service too! Thank you for bringing back wonderful memories of Miami for me!

I was only in town for a wedding, but discovered this cafe on Google. I believe I talked to the owner when I was there. So nice and friendly! It was fun to briefly share stories.

I never really drink coffee, but enjoyed my cortadito. My husband and I shared the Cuban sandwich which brought back so many memories. The guava y queso is my favorite! The mango was so good too! I also ordered the OG meat pastry for my husband to try as well, and I was given a complimentary croqueta to try along with my order (thank you again)! Soooo goood! Sadly, I only have two photos lol it was too delicious 😉

The only tricky part was parking. My husband dropped me off and did a few loops lol but that's the city I guess.

Honestly, these were better quality pastelitos and croquetas than the ones I had most recently in Miami! Maybe because I went to calle ocho. But I even tried another place, and no bueno. Social Cafe is the real deal! If I'm ever back in the area, I'm definitely visiting...